Finding Balance: Self-Care Strategies for the Busy Entrepreneur

Balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with family and personal life isn't just challenging; it can be genuinely overwhelming for most. As women entrepreneurs, we often find ourselves juggling multiple roles and responsibilities, which can lead to stress and eventually burnout. But what's the real cost of ignoring our well-being in the pursuit of business success? Chronic stress can severely impact our physical and mental health, reducing our productivity and overall quality of life. Recognizing and addressing this stress is not just essential for entrepreneurs; it's essential for your success. In this blog article, we'll explore self-care and a few practical approaches for prioritizing your well-being so that you can ensure you're thriving—not just surviving—in every aspect of your work and personal life.

To better help us understand the value of self-care, I highly recommend watching this compelling TEDx talk by psychologist and neuroscientist Dima Abou Chaaban titled “Re-train Your Brain with Self-Care.”

In this TEDx presentation, Dima reveals how self-care is crucial for combating burnout, which is a recognized occupational phenomenon. Her insights offer a scientific perspective on how embracing personalized self-care routines can not only help alleviate stress but also rewire our brains, enhancing our resilience and overall happiness. This understanding highlights why it's so important for us, especially as entrepreneurs, to prioritize our well-being amidst the demanding roles we play.

So how do we do this?

Integrating self-care into your daily life is great for your health and well-being. According to an article published by the University of Alabama, clinical psychologists recommend making self-care part of one’s routine and intentionally protecting time for self-care activities. One way to create and continually improve your self-care routine is to ask yourself the following three questions on a weekly or monthly basis. Please note this is not medical advice. I’m sharing a process I developed to help me improve my self-care in hopes others will find value in it.

1.) What did I do yesterday that was just for me (not for my family, business, etc.). How long did it take? How did it make me feel?

Healthy eating, wellness medical visits, exercise, sleep, hobbies, reading, and friendships are all examples of good self-care. However, not every “just for me” activity is self-care. Please list everything you did just for yourself, even if it would not be considered great self-care. That is where you will find your opportunity for improvement. Here’s an example:

• A morning gym workout. Took 70 minutes, after which I felt motivated.

• A hot bath. Enjoyed for 45 minutes, after which I felt relaxed.

• Social media before bed. Spent 45 minutes scrolling, and I felt pretty ‘blah’ after.

Are you not at three items per day? That’s okay! We are all in different places on our life journey. I encourage you find time for at least one self-care activity per day.

2.) Am I spending enough time on self-care? What is working? What should I change?

The list above contains two items that we would classify as good daily self-care. Good self-care gives you a positive result at the end. Taking the time to exercise and take a bath are great examples because both activities enhance mental health. On the flip side, scrolling social media for a long period of time is not the best use of self-care time. According to an article published by Penn Medicine News, social media use has been linked to depression, anxiety, and loneliness, and people who frequently use social media feel more depressed and less happy with life than those who spend more time on non-screen-related activities.

3.) How did the change go? What worked? What needs modification?

After reflecting on the impact of spending too much time on social media, some changes were made:

• An outside walk for 60 minutes, after which I felt energized.

• Cooking a healthy lunch for myself. Took only 20 minutes. I felt proud of my accomplishment because I am not a cook.

• Phone call with my sister. Took 30 minutes to catch up with her, after which I felt very happy.

• I read a book before bed. Took 15 minutes, after which I felt relaxed.
  

One resource to check out is the book Tiny Habits: The Small Changes that Change Everything by BJ Fogg. The book focuses on how small, achievable changes in behavior can lead to significant improvements in one's life. Fogg introduces a method for developing these habits through simple steps that integrate into daily routines. The book guides you through how to make lasting habits one small change at a time. It’s worth a read!

Now it is time to put this into action! I suggest scheduling a 15-minute meeting with yourself every week to evaluate your self-care. Small improvements over time will lead to big changes for you and your business. Your business will be more likely to grow and succeed if you are happy and healthy.

If you're looking to boost your sales and enhance profitability while still prioritizing self-care as a busy entrepreneur, I invite you to connect with me for a complimentary session. Together, we can explore strategies that enhance both your personal and professional life, ensuring you're not just surviving but thriving. Let’s start your journey to a balanced and successful life today!

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